May 11, 2018 (Elgin, ON) – Staff and Students at Rideau District High School (RDHS) wore green Wednesday to celebrate Mental Health Week, and to share the message that help is available for those struggling with mental illness.

Grade 12 student Melissa Crump wore green as part of the Canadian Mental Health Association initiative, designed to raise awareness about the importance of mental health and timely care.

“I think it’s a
good colour because in my mind green represents growth and that’s what mental
health really is – growing as a person in a healthy way,” said Crump..

She believes it’s particularly important to reach out to today’s young people, who may suffer from anxiety and depression, to let them know there is help available and people who will support them. The clothing initiative is part of a larger campaign at the school during Mental Health Week involving everything from messaging on outdoor signs to bulletin boards in the cafeteria. The school is also putting signs in private places throughout the school offering information on how to access mental health services. The locations allow students privacy to take down information.

“If there was something that I could tell the whole school through this campaign, it’s that they’re never alone,” she said. “If they have a weird feeling that they can’t explain, it’s likely that others feel the same way too. We want them to know there are lots of resources available to them.”